HP back into tablets with ElitePad

Hewlett-Packard has vowed that its latest move into the tablet market will be more memorable than its first. Just over a year ago the company yanked its webOS-based TouchPad after hardly pushing it out the factory door. At least it had the courage to admit the device was going nowhere.
 
This week HP announced the Windows 8-based ElitePad 900, not aimed at consumers but “at business and beyond.”  It includes an integrated keyboard. However, buyers will have to wait until January.  As this story from ComputerWorld U.S. points out, the company is still undecided on price.
 
 
 
The idea of a business tablet not aimed at consumers in an era of BYOD seems counter-intuitive. But in a press release HP says the unit will combine “the great style and user experience consumers demand with the features IT requires.”
 
It includes HP PageLift, software that is said to automatically trim, correctly light and orients a captured image of a whiteboard, or paper document for reading or sharing. It is supported by HP Client Management software.
 
Given the hesitation of organizations to embrace Cisco Systems’ Cius tablet or RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook one wonders if the ElitePad will succeed. So does HP — as the story points out between now and January there will be a lot of customer testing.
 
 

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Howard Solomon
Howard Solomon
Currently a freelance writer, I'm the former editor of ITWorldCanada.com and Computing Canada. An IT journalist since 1997, I've written for several of ITWC's sister publications including ITBusiness.ca and Computer Dealer News. Before that I was a staff reporter at the Calgary Herald and the Brampton (Ont.) Daily Times. I can be reached at hsolomon [@] soloreporter.com

Featured Articles

Empowering the hybrid workforce: how technology can build a better employee experience

Across the country, employees from organizations of all sizes expect flexibility...

What’s behind the best customer experience: How to make it real for your business

The best customer experience – the kind that builds businesses and...

Overcoming the obstacles to optimized operations

Network-driven optimization is a top priority for many Canadian business leaders...

Thriving amid Canada’s tech talent shortage

With today’s tight labour market, rising customer demands, fast-evolving cyber threats...

Staying protected and compliant in an evolving IT landscape

Canadian businesses have changed remarkably and quickly over the last few...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now